The distance between Milano (where I live) and Perugia is about 450 Km

...See? Right here, where the giant red pin is!

The history of Perugia goes back to the Etruscan period. The city is also known as a university town, with the University of Perugia(about 34,000 students), the University for Foreigners (5,000 students), and some smaller colleges, also. There are annual festivals and events: the Eurochocolate Festival (October), the Umbria Jazz Festival, and the International Journalism Festival (in April).

Now guess which one I came here to attend! (Hint: look at the date...)

Indeed, Perugia is a beautiful town with a very strong Medieval feel. It has ancient buildings...

...picturesque squares...

...evocatively narrow alleyways...

...unapproachable fountains...

...and gryphons. Lots of gryphons.

(For real. They're everywhere!)

Don't you feel the uncanny silence on my part over the last few days is pretty justifiable?

It has also an hotel unlike any other in Europe, entirely devoted to chocolate - but I'll tell you more about it in an upcoming installment, otherwise I'm bound to end up with an unbearably picture-heavy post!